Hi folks

After being screwed over once again by the company I work for I've finally had enough and decided to go out on my own. I've informed Inland Revenue that I want to be a sole trader, have got a couple of quotes for liability insurance, designed myself a business card and have thought about asking the bank for a small starter loan until a bit of money starts coming in. I doubt I'll be quitting my job until I can be sure that working on my own can pay the bills but hopefully it will after a bit of time.

Are there any other folks out there who could offer some advice please? Cheers

FB

If you have the time to wait in you current job for your client base to grow through word of mouth I genuinely think that this is more important than any sort of advertising that you may do. Satisfied returning customers are the best advert you can have.

Thanks for that Meds. Word of mouth is a very reliable form of advertising, but you have to do good work first. ;) I have about a year anyway before I can realistically think about going completely on my own. My gas qualifications run out next year so I'll have to re-take my ACS exams. If I stay where I am now the company pays for it, otherwise I'd have to fork out £2k just to stay qualified. Ouch!

Hi,

I work within a Sheffield Council-led programme called 'BiG - Make it Your Business'. This new business development initiative aims to provide tailored support specifically to people from Sheffield's regeneration (or 'Closing the Gap') areas who have an interest in setting up a business.

My role (as a Neighbourhood Enterprise Champion) is as a first point of contact and continued support for those with an interest in self employment to work through/overcome socio-economic barriers, enabling them to develop their ideas into successful, sustainable enterprises. A large part of what I do is connecting people's ideas with the right opportunities - from specialist business advice to the right training and information as well as advice on accessing finance.

For more information, call the 'BiG' team on 0800 043 5522 or see the website thebigwebsite.org.uk

Hope you found this info useful - Rob.

Hi folks

After being screwed over once again by the company I work for I've finally had enough and decided to go out on my own. I've informed Inland Revenue that I want to be a sole trader, have got a couple of quotes for liability insurance, designed myself a business card and have thought about asking the bank for a small starter loan until a bit of money starts coming in. I doubt I'll be quitting my job until I can be sure that working on my own can pay the bills but hopefully it will after a bit of time.

Are there any other folks out there who could offer some advice please? Cheers

FB

what business do you intend to start/enter?

If you are intending to be a corgi gas registered engineer/plumber then the only advice I can give you is as follows:
Be available on your contact details,
Respond promptly to client questions/requests for information/quotes,
Keep appointments,
If you say you are going to do the work - DO IT! Do it when you say you will.
Don't say you'll turn up then don't.
Do a quality job at a reasonable but not rip off price.

I have had a variable experience with tradesman and one of the most important things (along with ability/quality of work and price) is your reliability. Most plumbers/gas men I have come accross are totally unreliable and disorganised and this is what gives you a bad name. When it comes down to it - professional courtesy goes a long way and that is the advertising that will get you ongoing client referrals and continued work.

Wot Liose said - How about "the plumber that actually turns up when he says" as a strap line?

Hope it all goes well

If you are intending to be a corgi gas registered engineer/plumber then the only advice I can give you is as follows:
Be available on your contact details,
Respond promptly to client questions/requests for information/quotes,
Keep appointments,
If you say you are going to do the work - DO IT! Do it when you say you will.
Don't say you'll turn up then don't.
Do a quality job at a reasonable but not rip off price.

I have had a variable experience with tradesman and one of the most important things (along with ability/quality of work and price) is your reliability. Most plumbers/gas men I have come accross are totally unreliable and disorganised and this is what gives you a bad name. When it comes down to it - professional courtesy goes a long way and that is the advertising that will get you ongoing client referrals and continued work.

That's all good advice. :) Thanks

good luck farm boy sorry i only just seen this post in the new category . :)

bad time at the min to start any business stick were you are for the minute.

another point to look at is pick your customers and use your initiative it is usually right.

if you have any reserves about a job or customer dont do it .. pass it on . :)

any one can work for nothing. :)

also dont work for friends or family .. (most important )

also dont work for friends or family .. (most important )

I know about this one matey. It's impossible to make any cash, it holds up your other work and they usually want extra bits added on for nothing. Good way to wreck friendships and family relationships. :nono:

Thanks for the advice about everything else though. To begin with (now that I've mostly gotten over my initial anger with my current place of work) I was considering putting my business card around and trying to gather a few little jobs on the side and see how things go. If my personal phone starts to ring more than my work phone then it may be time to think about a permanent changeover but I doubt I'll be too busy to begin with. I need to get my CORGI reg sorted before I can touch anything gas related and I've heard nothing back from them yet. Starting to get on my nerves a bit really as I hate waiting for the mail. Might call them up and give them a nudge if it's not arrived before Friday. :roll:

Do as liose says be prompt.. and reliable... but remember 20% of customers are not in you when you do go ..

i drove to duckmanton only last week for a 5.30 appointment (quote) i called at 4.30 to make sure they would be in .. the answer was yes , when i arrived i waited 20 min so called him back he said i am stuck at work can you come back tommorrow after 5.30 as i am busy .. :)

1 hours wasted there. :)

it does happen fairly regular.

I've been pricing up general parts and sundries for gas work but the one thing I can't seem to find is gas paperwork. Landlord certificates (CP12), warning notices and labels etc. Does anyone know a good supplier please?

pm`d u m8 . :)

Thanks pal. :thumbsup: